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The clocks have finally ‘sprung’ forward, which means longer days to enjoy and what better way to make the most of them than a spot of exercise?

With many of you thinking about getting your bodies ready for summer (maybe wishful thinking knowing the British weather?) here are a few energy boosting smoothie ideas to help fuel your workouts.

Orange and mango citrus zinger

A fresh and exotic tasting drink to get you in the mood for summer escapes…

Ingredients:
3 large oranges
I large mango
Ice cubes

Method:
1.Wash and prepare the fruit, cut the oranges into segments and peel, de-stone and slice the mango.
2.Attach the jug attachment to your Easy Blend Deluxe using the Quad Blade. Insert the filter into the jug and attach the juicer lid.
3.Using the pusher, juice the orange and mango slices together on speed II.
4.Pour into a glass with ice and enjoy.

Method:
1.Add the ingredients as listed to the 750ml beaker, do not overfill.
2.Attach the beaker to the Easy Blend Deluxe using the Quad Blade.
3.Pulse for 5-10 seconds to combine.
4.Blend on speed II for 20 seconds.
5.Pour and enjoy!

Method:
1.Wash and prepare the fruit, cut the watermelon into chunks and the strawberries in half.
2.Attach the jug attachment to your Easy Blend Deluxe using the Quad Blade. Insert the filter into the jug and attach the juicer lid.
3.Using the pusher, juice the fruit together on speed II.
4.Pour into a glass, stir and garnish with a strawberry.

Breakfast berry blast

A vitamin-filled smoothie to kick start your day and keep you going for hours.

Talk around last night’s show may have been as focused on the public’s complete inability to recognise Chris Moyles after his weight loss as it was on the food, but the fab foursome tackled the tray bakes, crumpets and portrait cakes with glee.

Alexa Chung feigned incompetency, but then pulled a trio of delights out of the bag (or, more appropriately, the oven) but was still no contest for Victoria Wood who took home the bake off apron.

If the tasty treats have got you in the mood to bake then check out our delicious recipes for brownies and crumpets below.

What’s more, if you’re looking to kit out your kitchen with the perfect baking products, you can pick up our Accents Plastic Stand Mixer for half price* by using the code BL0350 – happy baking!

In your Accents Plastic Stand Mixer bowl, combine the cocoa with the boiling water. Stir in the bicarbonate of soda and leave to one side to cool.

Once the cocoa mixture has cooled, add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl, and mix together on a medium setting for two minutes or until fully combined.

Pour the mixture into your baking tray and bake for 30 minutes, or until risen and firm to the touch. Allow the cake to cool in the tin for a few minutes before moving it to a wire rack to finish cooling.

For the icing:

In a saucepan over a medium heat, melt the butter and golden syrup with 1 tbsp of water. Mix in the icing sugar until smooth. If needed, add a little extra boiling water before spreading the icing over the cake.

Scatter the decorations over the cake and leave it set for a couple of hours.

Scrumptious breakfast crumpets

Kickstart your weekend with freshly made crumpets, dripping with butter.

Ingredients:

450g plain flour

½ tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

2 tsp dried yeast

300ml warm milk

300ml warm water

Vegetable oil (for cooking)

Method:

You will need four, greased, crumpet rings.

In the bowl of your Accents Plastic Stand Mixer, combine the flour, salt, sugar and yeast, making a well in the centre. Pour in the warm milk and water, on a medium setting mix until the batter is fully combined and thick. Cover with a tea towel or cling film.

Leave in a warm place to rise for about an hour until it's a light, spongy texture. Set your Accents Folding Stand Mixer to a medium setting for one minute to knock out any air and pour into a large jug.

Add a small amount of oil to a non-stick frying pan. Wipe the pan with kitchen paper to remove any excess oil. Add the crumpet rings to the pan and pour in enough mixture to fill them to just over halfway up the sides. Leave to cook on a low to medium heat until plenty of small holes appear on the surface and the batter has just dried out. This will take about 10 minutes.

Remove the rings and turn over the crumpets to cook for a further minute or two on the other side.

Allow to cool slightly and then enjoy!

*Terms and conditions.

The offer is only available by using the code against online transactions on www.morphyrichards.co.uk for the 40010 Accents Plastic Stand Mixerand does not include delivery.

The code cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Using the code does not affect your statutory rights.

Discounts cannot be applied retrospectively (i.e. after buying).

The code expires on 17th March 2015 however Morphy Richards reserve the right to suspend or restrict the code at any time.

Offer is subject to product availability.

This code cannot be re-published or shared on any other website.

The voucher is offered by Morphy Richards Limited: Mexborough, South Yorkshire, S64 8AJ

Last night saw celebrity bakers David Mitchell, Michael Sheen, Sarah Brown and Jameela Jamil, get off to a crumbly start in the signature challenge.

@jameelajamil got stuck into making her orange shortbread (unfortunately quite literally), while @RealDMitchell ‘s excitement got the better of him and he ended up with more icing sugar on his face than his biscuits.

They may have got off to an unpromising start, but the celebrities managed to pull it out of the bag in the technical challenge and the pork pies even passed muster under the piercing blue scrutiny of Paul Hollywood.

If last night’s antics have left you feeling inspired and ready to bake, why not try one of our recipes below? Don’t forget to share your masterpieces on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #Morphylovesbaking

What’s more, if you’re looking to kit out your kitchen with the perfect baking products, you can pick up our Accents Plastic Stand Mixer for half price by using the code BL0350* – happy baking!

Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pastry. Using a 10cm pastry cutter, cut out six circles from the pastry and then line the muffin tin with them.

Equally distribute the sausage meat among the muffin holes. Using the remaining pastry, roll it into a ball and using a 7cm cutter, cut out six lids. Brush the overhanging pastry from the base with a little bit of water before placing the lids on top of the filling, then fold over the overhang up around the edges before pressing down. Roll any of the remaining pastry into long thin strips and use to these bits to run around the edge of each pie.

Brush the pies with the beaten egg yolk and bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

Allow the pies to cool slightly before removing from the pan.

Shortbread Biscuits

These mini bites of indulgence are easy to make will melt in your mouth.

Ingredients:

230g butter, softened

105g icing sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

350g plain flour

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

In your Morphy Richards Accents Stand Mixer bowl, add the butter, icing sugar and vanilla essence. Mix together on a high setting for one minute or until light and creamy.

Add the flour to the liquid and mix together on a medium setting for 2-3 minutes, or until fully combined.

Roll out the dough until about ½ inch thick on a lightly floured work surface. Cut out using a pastry cutter and place them ½ inch apart on an ungreased baking tray.

Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the bottoms are a light golden brown. Immediately remove from baking tray and allow to cool on a cooling rack.

*Terms and conditions.

The offers is only available by using the code against online transactions on www.morphyrichards.co.uk and do not include delivery.

The code cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Using the code does not affect your statutory rights.

Discounts cannot be applied retrospectively (i.e. after buying).

The code expires on 17th March 2015 however Morphy Richards reserve the right to suspend or restrict the code at any time.

Offer is subject to product availability

This code cannot be re-published or shared on any other website.

The voucher is offered by Morphy Richards Limited: Mexborough, South Yorkshire, S64 8AJ

Jonathan Ross, Gok Wan, Abbey Clancy and Zoella were last night’s Great Comic Relief Bake Off challengers. Their task? To win over Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood with cupcakes, profiteroles and a marble cake inspired by their favourite building.

@Wossy ‘ s profiteroles may well have resembled cookies in their stature and @Zozeebo ‘s beach hut marble cake looked rather like a building featured on TV Show Cowboy Builders, but we can’t help but admire the effort the celebs put in all round.

Feeling inspired for your own baking bonanza? Try one of our recipes below and don’t forget to share your masterpieces on Facebook and Twitter.

1.Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius. Line muffin tin with 12 cupcake cases.
2.In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Put to one side.
3.Using the Red Accents Plastic Stand Mixer, beat eggs and sugar on a medium setting for two minutes, or until light and creamy.
4.Add the butter and vanilla extract; mix on a low speed for one minute, or until well blended.
5.Add in the dry ingredients and mix on a low speed until fully blended, be careful not to over blend.
6.Add the sour cream and mix until smooth.
7.Using a teaspoon, fill the cupcake cases until about ¾ full with batter. Bake in the oven for 18 minutes, or until fully cooked. *Tip: using a knife, insert into the cupcake and if it comes out clean your cupcake is cooked.
Making the frosting:
1.Using your Red Accents Plastic Stand Mixer mix the softened butter on a medium speed until soft and creamy.
2.Increase the speed to high and mix for three minutes.
3.Allow cupcakes to cool before frosting with either a piping bag or knife.
4.To finish, decorate with sprinkles.

Decadent Chocolate Marble Cake

This easy to make tea time classic is the perfect mid-week treat.

Ingredients:

● 225g butter, softened
● 225g caster sugar
● 4 eggs
● 225g self-raising flour
● 3 tbsp milk
● 1 tsp vanilla extract
● 2 tbsp cocoa powder
Method:
1.Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and grease a 20cm cake tin.
2.Add all ingredients (apart from the cocoa powder) to your Morphy Richards Hand Blender with Serrator Blade and blend for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth.
3.Separate mixture into two bowls and stir the cocoa powder into the mixture in one of the bowls.
4.Using two spoons, add lumps of mixture to the cake tin alternatively.
5.Once all of the mixture has been added to the tin, bang the tin on the counter to ensure there aren’t any bubbles.
6.Using a knife, swirl around the mixture to create the marble effect.
7.Bake the cake for 50 minutes, or until an inserted knife comes out clean.
8.Allow the cake to cool on a cooling rack before eating.

*Terms and conditions.
1.The offers are only available by using the codes against online transactions on www.morphyrichards.co.uk and do not include delivery.
2.The code cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
3.Using the code does not affect your statutory rights.
4.Discounts cannot be applied retrospectively (i.e. after buying).
5.The code expires on 17th March 2015 however Morphy Richards reserve the right to suspend or restrict the code at any time.
6.Offer is subject to product availability
7.This code cannot be re-published or shared on any other website.
8.The voucher is offered by Morphy Richards Limited: Mexborough, South Yorkshire, S64 8AJ

Last night saw Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood back in the tents with four hopeful celebrities hoping to take the Comic Relief baking crown. Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Lulu and Dame Edna rose to the occasion making a giant cookie, mini fruit tarts and a showstopper chocolate cake to varying degrees of success. If you’re feeling inspired today, try one of the recipes below and get involved for Comic Relief. Don’t forget to share your creations with on Twitter and Facebook.

bbc.co.uk/rednoseday

Triple Layer Chocolate Cake

This decadent show-stopping chocolate cake is perfect for special occasions or a naughty weekend treat.

For the cake:
1.Sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
2.Using your Morphy Richards Folding Stand Mixer on high speed, mix the buttermilk, oil, room temperature eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl until combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients with the mixer on low. Add the coffee. The batter will be VERY thin. This is ok.
3.Pour the batter into your prepared baking pans and bake for 23-27 minutes or until a knife inserted in the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool before frosting.

For the frosting:

1.Using your Morphy Richards Folding Stand Mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy - about two full minutes. This creates a creamy base for the frosting. Turn speed to LOW and slowly add 3.5 cups of confectioners' sugar and all of the cocoa powder. Beat until sugar/cocoa are absorbed into the butter, about two minutes. Turn mixer to medium speed and add the vanilla and cream. Once added, turn the mixer to high speed and beat for one minute. Add up to 1/2 cup of confectioners' sugar if you'd like to increase the frosting's thickness. Taste, and add salt to taste.
2.Place one layer, flat side up, on a plate or cake stand. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with chocolate chips or as desired.
3.Cake stays fresh, moist, and soft at room temperature (covered) for up to four days. Cake may be refrigerated (covered) for up to seven days.

Gooey Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Share these easy to make healthy cookies with your colleagues or family.

1.To the bowl of your Morphy Richards Folding Stand Mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, cream cheese (measure it by smooshing it into a 1/4-cup measure), sugars, egg, vanilla, and beat on medium-high speed until well-creamed, light and fluffy, about five minutes (or use an electric hand mixer and beat for at least seven minutes).
2.Stop, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, optional salt, and mix until just combined, about one minute.
3.Add chocolate chips and chunks, and beat momentarily to incorporate, or fold in by hand.
4.Using a teaspoon, form heaping mounds of cookie dough. Place mounds on a large plate, flatten mounds slightly with your palm, cover with clingfilm, and refrigerate for at least two hours, or up to five days, before baking. Do not bake with warm dough because cookies will spread and bake thinner and flatter.
5.Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius, grease a baking tray and place mounds on the tray, spaced at least 2 inches apart. Bake for eight minutes, or until edges have set and tops are just beginning to set, pale and glossy in the centre. Do not bake longer than 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before removing and transferring to a rack to finish cooling.
6.Cookies will keep airtight at room temperature for up to one week, or in the freezer for up to three months. Alternatively, unbaked cookie dough can be stored airtight in the refrigerator for up to five days, so consider baking only as many cookies as desired and save the remaining dough to be baked in the future.

Slow cookers are not just for stews, in fact there’s very little you can’t make.
Did you know you could slow cook fudge? Or have you ever indulged in seven hour porridge?
Get inspired by the simple and delicious recipes below and you will never view your slow cooker in the same way again. Share your creations on our Facebook page!

Slow cooked chocolate fudge

An indulgent, but not too sinful treat….
Ingredients:
•2-1/2 cups chocolate chips
•1/2 cup canned coconut milk
•1/4 cup coconut sugar or maple syrup
•Pinch of sea salt
•2 tablespoons coconut oil
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method:
1.Mix together the chocolate chips, coconut milk, coconut sugar, salt, and coconut oil.
2.Throw into your Morphy Richards Slow Cooker and cook on low for two hours without stirring. It's important that lid remain on throughout.
3.After 2 hours, turn the slow cooker off, uncover, and add vanilla. IMPORTANT: Do not stir the mixture at this point. Allow to cool to room temperature or to 110 degrees if you have access to a candy thermometer.
4.Once cooled, using a large spoon, stir vigorously for 5 -10 minutes until the mixture develops a matte finish.
5.Lightly oil an 8"x8" square pan. Pour fudge into pan, cover and refrigerate for four hours or until firm.

Slow cooked porridge

A delicious and healthy, no-fuss breakfast for the whole family.
Ingredients:
•1 cup jumbo oats
•4 cups milk (or half milk, half water for a less creamy version), plus a splash more milk to serve
•Cinnamon, dried fruit, nuts, maple syrup, sliced bananas, or whatever topping you prefer
Method:
1.Heat the slow cooker if necessary.
2.Put the oats in the bowl along with a pinch of salt and pour over the milk, or a mixture of milk and water.
3.Add the dried fruit, if you choose to use it.
4.Put the slow cooker on its lowest setting and cook overnight for seven to eight hours.
5.The porridge may have developed a crust overnight, but mix this in to break it up and add a splash of milk to serve, along with your desired topping

Method:
1.Tip the mince into the slow cooker stoneware and turn on to Low heat, crisp up the mince a little before adding other ingredients.
2.Add the onion, garlic, soup, paprika, beans, stock cube, chilli powder and cumin, salt and pepper, then mix well.
3.Add enough boiling water to come halfway up the mixture, to replace the moisture coming out of the beef and the onion. Place the lid on top and cook for four to five hours on Low, or two to three hours on High, or until the meat is tender.
4.Once cooked, remove the lid and stir. Add a little more seasoning and serve straight from the pot with basmati rice and plain natural yoghurt.

Slow cooked whole chicken

You will not believe how easy it is to make tasty rotisserie-like chicken in your Morphy Richards Slow Cooker .
Ingredients:
•Whole chicken
•Salt and pepper
•Desired flavourings such as garlic, lemon, peppercorns or chilli
Method:
1.Take three pieces of aluminium foil and form into small balls, and place them in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2.Rinse the chicken, inside and out, under cold running water. Pat dry with kitchen roll. Season the chicken with the salt, pepper and whatever flavourings you choose, and place in the slow cooker on top of the crushed aluminium foil balls.
3.Set the slow cooker to High for one hour, then turn down to Low for about eight to 10 hours, or until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear. Simples.

Slow cooked chicken and mushroom fettuccine

An easy-to-make Italian feast that even the most inexperienced of cooks can whip up.
Ingredients:
•700g chopped chicken
•2 punnets of cremini mushrooms, cut into thirds
•1⁄2 tsp salt
•1⁄4 tsp black pepper
•One clove of garlic, finely chopped
•Two packets of cream cheese, cut into chunks
•11p butter butter
•1 1⁄2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for garnish
•1 1⁄2 cups whole milk
•1 package (1 pound) fettuccine
Method:
1.Spray inside of your Morphy Richards slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
2.Arrange chicken in single layer in bottom of your slow cooker.
3.Add mushrooms and sprinkle salt, black pepper and chopped garlic into the pot.
4.Stir together cream cheese, butter, Parmesan cheese and milk in medium saucepan over medium heat.
5.Whisk constantly until smooth and heated through. Pour over mushrooms, pushing down any that float to surface.
6.Cover and cook on Low for four to five hours or on High for two to two and a half hours.
7.Serve with fettuccine pasta.

With the nation constantly freezing, everyone is in need of healthy yet delicious dishes to keep them warm and full over the next few weeks.

After coming in from the cold, there is a nothing better than a bowlful of slow-cooked, comforting grub to tuck into and we have a few great ideas to get you started.

Slow-cooked Orange Chicken

This recipe uses few ingredients and won’t take up your whole evening – which allows more time for enjoying the night with your friends and family. Slow cooking rather than frying also makes this a healthier option so there will be no arguments from those watching their weight!

Boneless and skinless thighs may be used. Do not use thighs with the skin still intact, it will create too much grease in the sauce and chicken may burn.

Method:

1.Remove visible fat from chicken thighs and roll each in flour until well coated. Set chicken thighs in the bottom of a slow cooker.
2.Combine orange juice, marmalade, Worcester sauce, soy sauce, garlic, ketchup and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Stir until well blended.
3.Pour sauce over chicken thighs and lid the cooker. Cook on LOW setting for 4 hours.
4.Remove thighs from slow cooker and stir sauce well. Top thighs with extra sauce.
5.Serve with rice or roasted potatoes and a salad garnish.

Rich and Meaty Pasta Sauce

Pasta dishes are always good for a winter warmer as they are simple and delicious and keep you fuller for longer.This dish makes for a thick and rich sauce, bursting with flavour.

1.Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium sauté pan and sauté onions for 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and 1 teaspoon of salt and sauté for 4 more minutes, breaking apart the meat as it cooks.
2.Add the sautéed meat and onions to the crock pot.
3.Whisk 2 tablespoons of tomato paste in 1 cup of water until the paste dissolves.
4.Add the tomato paste mixture to the pot along with the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
5.Cook on Low for 6-8 hours.
6.Serve over pasta.

January is a time for new beginnings, resolutions and a desire to get straight again after all the chaos and excess of Christmas. Now is the time to take a look at what you’re doing, where you’re going and assess whether your wardrobe is up to the task.

Elika Gibbs, stylist and founder of wardrobe organization site Practical Princess, has detoxed the wardrobes of everyone from Kate Moss to Lily Allen. ‘It’s important to do things in small, bitesized chunks so it’s less overwhelming,’ says Elika. ‘Make a plan and do a couple of hours over a few weekends. Here are my top tips to make your wardrobe work for you.’

1.Clean inside your wardrobe. Take all of your clothes out and use a clothes friendly detergent to get rid of dust, dirt and any fusty smells. Don’t forget the rail that your clothes hang from.

3.For each item ask the following questions: Do you wear it? Why not? Is it dated? Does it fit? Does it need altering? Does it need dry cleaning? Be brutal. If it’s in your wardrobe it has to work.

4.Using these questions, sort your clothes into six piles: spring/ summer clothes; autumn/ winter clothes; all year round items; alterations and dry cleaning; archive (things you want to keep for sentimental reasons or for your children); charity and resale (consider sites like eBay as well as car boot sales and charity shops).

6.Store things cleverly. Put clothes away clean and carefully folded with moth deterrents and acid free tissue paper as needed. Create handbag fillers from newspaper stuffed plastic bags to help them keep shape. Hang necklaces off door hooks. This will save you time and money. Check stored items regularly for moths and damp.

7.You wouldn’t eat a wonderful meal off a paper plate. Hang your clothes on proper hangers to help keep their shape.

8.From a glance, you should now be able to see what you’re missing and what you have more than enough of – black trousers, stripy tops, anyone? The money you earned from reselling your unwanted items can help fund your next shopping trip!

You can find more advice from Elika in her book Practical Princess Perfect Wardrobe by Elika Gibbs; practicalprincess.com

Do you have any tips to share?

Images taken from Practical princess Perfect Wardrode by Elika Gibbs, with photography by Polly Wreford, is published by Ryland Peters & Small

Let’s face it, when it comes to Christmas dinner us Brits do it in style, but as a nation we are on average scraping 4.2 million Christmas dinners straight into the bin.

With research showing that there’ll be enough leftover gravy this year to fill an Olympic size pool, we’ve come up with some fail-safe ways to help you save some pennies by turning your turkey trimmings into a tasty Boxing Day buffet.

Warming Boxing Day soup

After overindulging in one too many mince pies, why not treat the family to a comforting winter soup using all of the leftover vegetables?

All of these Christmassy soup recipes from BBC Good Food are perfect for ensuring all of your extra Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips and potatoes go to good use. Alternatively, use leftover ham to make a tasty pea and ham soup - perfect for a light post-Christmas lunch.

The Morphy Richards Sauté and Soup maker, allows you to tuck into this tasty meal without causing any fuss. You can put your feet up while your homemade soup is prepared in just 21 minutes. Simply sauté in the jug and then add your ingredients and stock.

The all-in-one turkey dinner method

We love this leftover turkey casserole recipe from BBC Good Food, as it uses up all your roast dinner leftovers in one go and has a delicious honey mustard tang.

After searing, just set the digital display for anything from four to 10 hours for a delicious and nutritious slow cooked turkey casserole meal. But, if you can’t wait that long, then the fast stew function can prepare a meal in as little as an hour and a half.

Keep calm and make use of your leftovers!

So don’t panic that there is still mountains of leftovers filling the fridge – be creative and surprise your family with some turkey buffet delights.

Christmas is all about eating to excess, drinking and spending time with family and friends. But if you’re the host or hostess, the idea of all that preparation can seem a little daunting.

Don’t worry, we’re here to help ease the anxiety and help the festivities run without a glitch. Just think of us as your Morphy Godmother…!

Be organised and plan ahead. Leaving your Christmas gift shopping to the last-minute will stress you out and could result in some dubious panic-bought presents. No one needs a two-handled mug or a beer helmet. Trust us.

Make sure all your main presents are bought and wrapped up by the end of November so that December can be spent enjoying preparations like putting up the tree and strategically placing spray painted holly sprigs and tinsel.

For friends and family who love cooking up a storm why not order a gift direct from our website? You can pick up a Folding Stand Mixer for the aspiring Mary Berry or Paul Hollywood in your life, or, if you want to be ahead of the game for your January detox, how about putting the Easy Blend on your wish list?

Have a pre-Christmas clean. When you’re expecting guests, you want your home to look its best. Have a deep clean a few weeks before Christmas and draft in the family to help. Why not put on a Christmas mega mix to get into the spirt?

For a product that makes fast work of every surface in every room, get your festive mitts on a Luna 15-in-1 steam cleaner and you can use the time you save cleaning to watch a favourite Christmas movie! Can you really beat Home Alone for the perfect cosy night in?

Focus on the details. There are some clever little tips and tricks that will add a little sparkle to Christmas for your friends and family and make it truly memorable for everyone.

How about making a batch of personalised gingerbread men for each guest to welcome them? If you time it right, the house will even have the mouth-watering waft of Christmas baking.

Hosting little ones? Buy some plain baubles and paint and let them make their own decoration designs to take home with them – and to keep them entertained! If you need tips on what to do, check out our Pinterest board for how-tos and more crafty ideas.

And finally…….Enjoy It. Preparing your home shouldn’t feel like a chore and with a bit of thought, you can host everyone and still enjoy it yourself!

Halloween might be tomorrow but it doesn’t mean you’ve had time between work, family and school to give fright night a moment’s thought.

But don’t worry - here are some fang–tastic tips that won’t take too long to achieve.

Unique last-minute costumes

Spider – What gives everyone the creeps? Little Incy Wincy, of course! Dress yourself up as a scary arachnid and prepare to terrify! All you need is an all-black outfit and some old tights stuffed with socks to make your eight legs. To hold your legs up, attach them loosely to your wrists using some dark string. Simple.

Pirate – Channeling a scary Jack Sparrow is easy to do and all the basics you need are a bandanna, an eye patch (make yours with some black card and elastic) and an old white shirt.

Make your shirt super scary by adding some fake blood. Don’t forget eye liner to draw on some menacing scars and a beard.

Delicious DIY treats to rustle up in no time!

These easy to make last-minute Halloween recipe ideas have minimal preparation time and look terrifyingly good.

The Bloody Finger Sandwich – These savoury snacks are a real winner with the kids. Spread strawberry or raspberry jam on a piece of white bread and roll in to the shape of a finger. Finish off your gory creation with an almond flake - it looks like a creepy finger nail!

Owl cake – Follow a quick and easy sponge recipe to make a basic chocolate cake. Take two Oreo biscuits, take one biscuit off, leaving the white centre showing to make oversized owl eyes. Use brown chocolate buttons for the pupils and finish off with yellow Smarties stuck in the sponge sideways to make a cute little beak.

Which? is the best kettle and toaster set on the market? Why, it’s the Morphy Richards Chroma kettle and toaster set of course! And you don’t just have to take our word for it: the Which? team said that this is “the best toaster [they have] tested in the past two years”.

What’s more, according to the testers, “it’s rare for a kettle AND toaster of the same set to both be awarded a best buy”, but with its stylish design and unbeatable functionality it’s easy to understand why Chroma has outstripped its competitors.

The Morphy Richards Two Slice Chroma Toaster has a number of ‘winning’ design features which make it stand out from the crowd. The sophisticated white casing, chrome trimming, attractive base and non-slip feet make the Chroma toaster an eye-catching addition to any kitchen.

The variable browning function makes perfect toast every time, as each slice is evenly browned. The variable width feature means you can toast all your favourite treats, such as crumpets, teacakes, tasty bagels and more.

For those with limited time, the Chroma has a defrost function which allows bread to be toasted directly from the freezer, means you can enjoy toast whenever you want. The reheat button is also useful if you find yourself getting distracted – a handy feature for people always on the go.

The Morphy Richards Chroma Toaster easily tidied away thanks to the handy cord storage and is perfect for even small kitchens, plus the removable crumb tray provides fuss-free cleaning.

Just like the Chroma toaster, the Morphy Richards Chroma kettle also won over the Which? testing panel, due to its sleek appearance and ergonomic features.

Its large 1.5 litre capacity can make up to 6 cups of your favourite hot drink and the rapid boil feature means you won’t be waiting long too quench your thirst. The dual water window allows you to clearly see how much water is in the kettle, preventing the risk of over filling.

Available in a range of colours; the striking design and range of user-friendly features make the Morphy Richard Chroma Toaster and Kettle set a winning combination!

With back to school looming on the horizon all too soon, household chores, like ironing the school uniforms, are back at the top of the list. But which model will help you to make this thankless task a doddle? Clearly, the Morphy Richards Comfigrip, which has been awarded Best Buy Steam Iron for 2013.

Our products are great for helping get you ‘steam’ through for the never ending to-do list for helping get the kids ready for their return to school. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, check out these handy pointers:

1.Breakdown your to do list into categories: Stationary (all notebooks, pens and pencil cases), food (packed lunches and evening dinners for the first weeks) and clothing (new uniforms and cleaning old uniforms)

2.Find ways to make each task feel like less of a chore – you can get the little ones to draw pictures of their dream lunch box to inspire packed lunches; watch your favourite film as you do the back to school ironing or getting the kids to design their own clothes labels with a labelmaker.

We want to make your everyday life as stress-free as possible.

At Morphy Richards we are all about making your life easy with our smart ideas for your home, and our ionic soleplate helps with just that. Our new ion technology, featured as part of our new Comfigrip Iron, is designed to make your ironing effortless. If ‘ion’ means nothing to you, read on; all will be revealed!

Now for the science bit: The ion technology works by using an ionic soleplate which emits negatively charged ions, which cause static. This means you can iron without your clothes without shirts sleeves sticking to collars and without the hairs on your arms and head from sticking up on end.

The technology should take the ‘shock’ out of ironing, help you ‘steam’ through and leave all of your clothes with a pristine finish.

What’s more, the dual chamber technology, which gives you a quick steam boost for stubborn creases and pressing plate to remove any excess moisture from your clothes, ensuring they keep that ‘just ironed’ finish.

Ion technology is now available in both our Turbosteam and Comfigrip ranges, including the 301011 Comfigrip ionic steam iron. If you are interested in buying any of these irons or would like more information, then they are available now, right here on morphyrichards.co.uk.

Tackling the over-sized mountain of clothes which piles up while the kids are on school holidays never has to intimidate you again.

There are a number of areas of the home which everyone dreads cleaning – under the fridge, behind the bins, or the gap in between the sofa and the wall - and often this means that they are left until last. Or worse, not cleaned at all!

Due to its wide range of accessories, cleaning with the new Luna 12-in-1 Steam Cleaner from Morphy Richards means there are no nooks or crannies which can escape the household tidy-up.

What’s more, this cleaner is so easy to use, homeowners will actually relish getting stuck into those pesky spaces which if left untouched can become a real challenge.
The Luna’s illuminated floorhead means any hidden nasties can be spotted and cleaned away in mere moments. For those who choose to overlook the ominous shadow underneath the fridge, who fear how many leftovers, dropped morsels and forgotten scraps they might encounter, this product is the answer.

Dirt and grime can be easily lifted and cleaned away using the pulsating floorhead function, meaning anyone who previously haven’t dared move the kitchen or bathrooms bins - due to trepidation about the potential sticky stains they might uncover - need fear no more!

A number of features of the innovative new addition to the floorcare family from Morphy Richards make the Luna 12-in-1 an essential component of any household cleaning arsenal. The cleaner can be used on sealed hard wood floors, freshening carpets, upholstery, curtains, garments, mattresses, and for cleaning taps and sinks, ovens, hobs and grills, BBQs, tiles and grouting.

The three steam setting, digital control panel and large water tank capacity provide the flexibility, convenience and running time for a thoroughly spotless home to be achieved effortlessly.

So tell us, which dreaded corner of the home do you most fear cleaning and where would you tackle with the impressive new Luna 12-in-1 steam cleaner?

N.B. To help prevent limescale build up in the water tank, the steam cleaner’s tank must never be filled with anything other than deionised, demineralised or distilled water.
For more information on this product, the instruction manual can be downloaded direct from the website here: http://www.morphyrichards.co.uk/Pdf/IB720506.pdf

With the brighter weather and the approach of the summer body season, we all turn to lighter meals and healthier food choices, so it's the perfect chance to get innovative in the kitchen. And what better way to get creative than with homemade smoothies and mocktails?

Finding a blender that is reliable, attractive and good value for money can be tricky and that’s where the Morphy Richards Easy Blend Blender comes in handy.

The Easy Blend is great for the health-conscious, as its versatility means that it’s possible to make homemade milkshakes, smoothies and even health drinks that are fit for the gym. It’s easy to create drinks on the go as the blender is easy to clean, and the ice crushing blades means that you can throw in frozen fruit, ice and mix powder to create tasty health drinks. Take a look at some of smoothie recipes to get your taste buds tingling…

Orange and Berry Smoothie

Blend together 2 oranges that have been cut into chunks, with the peel and pith removed, with a couple of handfuls of frozen blueberries and strawberries. Once smooth, serve in a glass.

Tropical Smoothie

Throw 1 peeled banana and 1 peeled mango into the blender with the pulp of 3 passion fruits, add 200ml of orange juice, and puree until smooth.

Honey Breakfast Smoothie

After peeling a banana, add it to the blender with one large spoonful of honey. Pour half a pot of plain yoghurt in, and blend then serve.

If you’re finding it hard to entertain the kids this weekend, let alone get them interested in healthy fruit-packed drinks, then it’s time to get your hands on Morphy Richards’ Soda Sparkle. This product has the ability to turn tap water into flavourful fizzy drinks that are healthy and delicious. If your child has fussy taste buds, never fear! There’s so many flavours to pick from such as apple, strawberry, cranberry and even cola.

It's also a great opportunity for a picnic. What goes in the picnic basket is always a family debate, but the classic sandwiches, crisps and sweet snacks are always at the top of the list. And even if the sun doesn’t keep shining this weekend, there’s no better way to cap off a perfect weekend than with a refreshing smoothie.

We believe that when you start with great ingredients you finish with the best flavours and given that water is an essential ingredient for many recipes and the majority of hot drinks it makes sense to use BRITA filtration to help you achieve great results.

BRITA MAXTRA filtration reduces limescale, chlorine,metals and other impurities from your tap water. to help ensure not only the taste, but also the smell and appearance of both your hot drinks and cooked food is enhanced whilst helping your appliance last longer by preventing limescale build up.

Best to stay away from such a contentious area that is riddled with pitfalls –besides BRITA makes safe drinking water taste and look better but it is not a purification system –that is a completely different kettle of fish.

Hard water

Hard water is water that contains a higher-than-normal proportion of mineral salts – at the latest count, nearly half (47.22%) of the counties in the UK are in hard to very hard water areas. This means that nearly half of UK counties are consuming water that contains above 200mg/l in calcium carbonate equivalent (Source: British Water). You can check whether you’re living in a hard water area by looking at this handy graphic.

Generally speaking, the most prominent hard water areas within the UK are in the South East of the country, however hard water areas within the UK range from Bristol and areas within the South West of the country all the way up to areas within Yorkshire.

Filtering is most important in these areas, so you can be confident that you’re drinking water that has reduced impurities. The best way to ensure your hot drinks and cooked food is tasting as delicious as possible is to change your BRITA filter cartridges at regular intervals which will also help prevent limescale build ups in your machine.

Additional cartridges are available to buy on our website – we recommend that you change the cartridge in your Hot Water Dispenser at least once every month.

BRITA MAXTRA cartridges are also 100% recyclable, just visit their website to find out more about your nearest recycling location.

One of the Redefine Hot Water Dispenser’s many advantages is that it’s perfect for bringing a whole meal together without the need to bring multiple pans to the boil. With its 3 litre capacity, it can fill a pan full of BRITA filtered water at the perfect temperature so that you can cook pasta, rice, vegetables and much more; just quickly change the temperature for different pans.

To get you started, here is a recipe to inspire your next Sunday roast that you and your family can enjoy over the weekend. If you’re feeling inspired, then make sure to share your creations on our Facebook page.

Bring three pans of salted water to the boil. Cut any large potatoes in half and leave any small ones whole. Place the potatoes in one of the pans and parboil for 5 to 10 minutes, or until half cooked. Drain the potatoes, then leave them to steam dry. Return the potatoes to the hot pan and shake it around to chuff up the edges. Repeat with the carrots and beets but do not shake them around after leaving them to steam dry.

Scatter the potatoes with the rosemary, half the garlic cloves, a drizzle of oil, and season with salt and pepper, then spread them out evenly in a roasting tray. Toss the carrots with the honey, a lug of oil and season well with salt and pepper, then add them to the tray, spooning over any remaining juices. Toss the beetroot with a lug of balsamic and oil, and season well with salt and pepper, then add them to the tray too. Scatter over the remaining garlic cloves and roast all the veg in the hot oven for about 20 to 30 minutes, giving them a jiggle every so often, or until everything is crispy, golden and delicious. Keep an eye on them and rotate the tray for even cooking.

With another bank holiday on the horizon, now is the perfect chance to tackle those little DIY jobs.

If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of large scale makeovers, never fear, as there are plenty of quick and easy tips and tricks that will give a room a fresh look, without the high price tag.

To give rooms a bit of summer refreshment, and an organised new look, it’s always good to pick a colour scheme that will give your rooms a universal theme. Take a look at our guide to colour schemes that are perfect to give rooms a boost.

Sea Breeze

The possibilities are endless when considering which blue hue to use in a room. A North facing room can be brightened up with a host of light, bright, blue accessories, whilst navy coloured pieces can offer a touch of sophistication or even create a nautical theme.

An easy and affordable way to brighten up a kitchen is to accessorise with some key blue appliances. The Morphy Richards Cyan Traditional Kettle and Toaster add a touch of vibrancy and elegance to a kitchen, no matter what the style.

Pretty In Pink

Pink doesn’t have to look girly if you don’t want it to, and picking a shade that you like can easily change a room’s ambiance with a few simple products. You can give a room a sultry edge with a deep pink sofa or chair, whilst a room can be refreshed with pastel pink accessories, such as photo frames or painted side tables.

Sunshine Yellow

If you’d like it to always be summer in your home, then pick some key pieces that add a vibrant burst of yellow into a room. If you have a neutral colour scheme, or a room painted in a dark shade, then pick some pieces of furniture such as a yellow table or chair, yellow cookware or even just a couple of vases of sunflowers to give it a lift.

About this blog

At Morphy Richards, we know lots of people take pride in their homes. That's why we created this blog, a resource for all things home-related and the only place you'll need to visit to get the most out of your products

Morphy Innovators

We work hard to ensure our products are the most innovative on the market, but we can't do it on our own, which is why we've enlisted the help of 35 of the country's top mummy and food bloggers to give us open honest feedback on our products.